Doc Watson, Folk Music Legend, Dies At 89

Doc Watson, pioneering artist of roots-conscious Americana, dies in North Carolina hospital, according to representatives.

Bob Dylan once compared the precise acoustic guitar picking of Doc Watson to “water running.” Sadly, the water runs no more today.

The seven-time Grammy winner, blind since infancy, died at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., according to his representatives at Folklore Productions, a management company in Santa Monica, California. Doc had undergone colon surgery Thursday.

Remembered for his mountain-rooted sound and uniquely fast style of flatpicking, the National Medal of Arts recipient is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rosa Lee, his daughter, Nancy Ellen, two grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and a brother, David.